1 V-ERG （使）发亮；（使）变得明亮；（使）变淡 When something lightens or when you lighten it, it becomes less dark in colour. （使）发亮；（使）变得明亮；（使）变淡
-
The sky began to lighten. [VERB]
天空开始变亮了。
-
Leslie lightens her hair and has now had it cut into a short, feathered style. [VERB noun]
莱斯莉将头发染成了浅色，现在又剪了个短蓬头。
SYN brighten, flash, shine, illuminate
2 VERB 使缓和；调剂 If someone lightens a situation, they make it less serious or less boring. 使缓和；调剂
-
Anthony felt the need to lighten the atmosphere. [VERB noun]
安东尼觉得有必要缓和一下气氛。
-
He managed to lighten the generally lifeless debate at times. [VERB noun]
他让这场总体很沉闷的辩论时不时迸出了些火花。
-
Her existence was lightened by bits of gossip. [VERB noun]
她的生活靠了飞短流长才不那么乏味。
SYN ease, relieve, alleviate, allay
3 V-ERG （使）（态度、心情等）变得轻松（或愉快） If your attitude or mood lightens, or if someone or something lightens it, they make you feel more cheerful, happy, and relaxed. （使）（态度、心情等）变得轻松（或愉快）
-
As they approached the outskirts of the city, Ella's mood visibly lightened. [VERB]
他们快到市郊时，埃拉的情绪明显好转。
-
The sun was streaming in through the window, yet it did nothing to lighten his mood. [VERB noun]
阳光透过窗户照进来，可是这也不能让他的心情开朗起来。
4 VERB 使变轻 If you lighten something, you make it less heavy. 使变轻
-
It is a good idea to blend it in a food processor as this lightens the mixture. [VERB noun]
把它放到食品加工器里搅拌是个好主意，因为这样能够使混合物的分量减轻。
-
He pulled the lightened sled with all his strength. [VERB-ed]
他用尽全力拉减轻了重量的雪橇。
SYN make lighter, ease, disburden, reduce in weight
5 PHRASE [VERB inflects] 减轻…的负担 If someone or something lightens your burden or your load, they make a bad or difficult situation better for you. 减轻…的负担
-
The minister has persuaded the banks to lighten the burden of the foreign debt.
部长已经说服银行减轻外债负担。
-
In sharing this secret you lighten your burden.
和别人分享这个秘密可以减轻自己的负担。
-
If you are responsible for children, lighten the load by asking others to help.
如果你有抚养孩子的责任，可以请他人帮忙以减轻负担。
Phrasal verbs: - lighten up
| Word Link | light ≈ not heavy : lighten, light-headed, light-hearted |
View usage for:All yearsLast 10 yearsLast 50 yearsLast 100 yearsLast 300 years